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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

I Wonder Why PART ONE by S Tinelli

I wonder why? I thought as I was running, but then my thoughts were pushed to the side as another bomb hit and I was thrown down by the force of the explosion. I lifted my body up as if I was a masterless puppet and pushed on. I am running from the German officers, my name is Katiana, it is October 5th 1939 and the war has just begun....

As I ran down Von Aldrecht Street, I thought of the day our house was bombed, I thought of Caris, Alexander and Silvia my two brothers and younger sister. My mind also happened to bring up my parents and grandmother. when the house was bombed I was downstairs, outside, and they were all insidetrying to escape, knowing that they might die any second. And at that moment it hit. The house crumbled and I lay under what was once my home, unconscious and unaware that my whole family had just been killed and were buried under our memories. And I am left alone.

I cleared my mind and tried to think of a place to hide that the Germans weren't already guarding. I saw two of the officers and I knew that they saw me, although I wished to heavens above that they hadn't. I tried to hide around the next bend but as I looked up to clear my surroundings they were there. I felt alone, out of place, I felt Jewish.

As I was carried away I tried desperately to fight my way loose but they were too strong for my weak body, I felt them put something or other on my ankle but before I could see it I was unconscious.

We were summoned outside by the loud, heavy voices of the German generals. We stood in a crows but it was not long until we were forced into a line. I drifted off, looking at a beautiful line of trees just at the end of the camp. And then I broke the silence in my head and carried on listening. they said to lift up our left sleeves. I was not looking forward to this, I already knew what they were going to do to us, but I wished I didn't know. As I looked at the other girls I noticed one, surprisingly gentle looking German officer, who was watching me. It was a relief to me, to see gentle but scared eyes and I could immediately see that he didn't have a choice in being there either.

The general took the branding iron out of the heated chamber and muttered something under his breath, in German, just so that the other officers could hear and we all watched as they laughed dangerously at what the general had said, only he didn't laugh. His name badge said his name was Heinz. I don't know why but every time I lay my eyes on him I felt a rush of adrenalin and reassurance.

I watched as the general walked down the row of girls, branding them. I knew that he knew that he was hurting them but in his eyes you could se that he didn't care who got hurt, just that they did. I couldn't image their pain and what made it worse was that my turn was still coming. As he pushed the iron into my skin I could feel the reaction of heat melting skin under the red hot sizzling surface. He lifted it off my skin but the pain lasted long after he had removed it.

Grade 11 Book Review of the Month

"To Kill A Mockingbird" by H Lee

Jem and Scout live with their widowed father, Atticus, in the small, predominantly white town of Maycomb.

One summer the children meet a little boy named Dill and play on the dangerous property of Boo Radley. They are shot at but constantly find themselves saved by the mysterious Boo who inhabits the house.

At the same time Atticus, who is a lawyer, takes the case of a black man accused of raping a young white woman. As the case unfolds the family is discriminated against and the although the man is proven innocent, he is jailed and the woman's shamed father vows revenge.

The story is interesting and the themes compelling. A mature read.
-I KASSELMAN

Book Review

Water for Elephants

Grade 10 Book Review of the week

"Water for Elephants" by S Gruen

Jacob's parents die and he jumps a train to join the circus a week before he graduates. Becoming the circus vet, Jacob spends time with the animals and people of the traveling show.

He falls in love with the animal trainer's wife, with tragic results.

Written as a memoir the novel is slightly predictable but very beautiful.

Now a major motion picture.

-Y AMIN

Book Review

Chasing Redbird

Just another great novel for Grade 10

"Chasing Redbird" by S Creech

Set in the outskirts of Bybanks and stretching along Chocton, Zinny uncovers an overgrown pathway at the back of her house and a map indicating a trail from Bybanks to Chocton.

Zinny finds answers to her problems on the trail. She feels guilty about the death of her cousin, Rose, who caught whooping cough from Zinny when they were both four. When Zinny's aunt, Jessie, dies she feels as if she is losing herself.

She struggles to bloom in the midst of three noisy brothers and three confident overbearing sisters who constantly compete for attention.

Along with all of this, Jake Boone is back in town.

A captivating and intriguing read.

-N SMITH

Book Review

The Alchemist

Grade 9 Book Review of the Week

"The Alchemist" by P Coelho

Set in Andalusia and the North African desert, Santiago -a treasure-hunter- and an alchemist, crystal merchant, Englishman and camel driver's paths cross.

Santiago is a shepherd with a recurring dream: he goes to a gypsy who tells him to go to the pyramids where he will find his dreamed of treasure.

As Santiago follows his dream he learns from the alchemist about the Soul of the World, how to listen to his heart and how to speak with the winds and the sun.

The novel is life-changing and gripping.
-J NICOL

Book Review

Stealing Heaven

Just another great novel from the Grade 9s

"Stealing Heaven" by E Scott

Danielle and her mom travel around the country breaking into houses and then fleeing to safety. At the moment their story starts they are living in a pretty holiday town called Heaven.

Danielle is 18 years old, very cautious and struggling to trust those around her. Her 30-something mum is very beautiful but cold-hearted.

The pair move to Heaven where they meet Allison and Greg -but plan to break in to Allison's house. But Danielle is unhappy with her life as a thief, moving around, never having anything that she can count on or call her own. Until she falls in love with Greg.

A beautifully written love story with surprising twists in the plot.
-L PEROLD

Book Review

Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Hero

Grade 8 Book Review of the week

"Heroes of Olympus" by Rock Riordon

This book is set in Camp Half-Blood in Long Island, New York in the Underworld where Hades rules.

Jason, Son of Zeus, finds himself in Camp Half-Blood with no memory of how he got there. he is sent on a quest with three heroes: Jason, Leo and Piper who are seeking help from the gods of the four winds.

In the mean time, the mother of all Titans, Gaia, is awakening and with her all the dreaded, most vicious monsters. She wants to control the world once more and destroy the gods and demi-gods.

The series is entirely captivating and every book is difficult to put down.
-S VD HEEVER

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